Obituaries Dec. 15, 2009

Rachel Ford
MERIDIAN – Rachel Agnew Ford, 85, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at her residence. She was born and reared in Baldwyn. She was a graduate of Baldwyn High School. She was a homemaker and a member of Baldwyn Presbyterian Church. She had been a resident of Meridian for the past nine years.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Meridian with the Rev. Lynn Miller officiating. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. today at Baldwyn Masonic Cemetery. Waters Funeral Home of Baldwyn is in charge of local arrangements.
She is survived by her daughter, Nan Robinson (Greg) of Meridian; two sons, Chip Ford (Janice) of Greenwood and Tim Ford (Kathy) of Jackson; six grandchildren, Carrie Ford, Mitch Robinson, Morgan Robinson, Ken Ford, Sam Ford and Rachel Ford.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Mitchel Ford Sr.; two brothers, Todd Agnew and Sam Hall Agnew; and a sister, Georgia Hallas.
The family requests that memorials be made to a favorite charity.Estelle Wilemon
IUKA – Estelle Wilemon died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009.
Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Ludlam Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka. Burial will be in Joel Cemetery at Dennis.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time today.Carissa Shumpert
BOONEVILLE – Carissa Kice Shumpert, 41, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Centery.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Oak Hill M.B. Church. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Patterson Memorial Chapel of Corinth is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today.Frances V. McCarley
DEFIANCE, Ohio – Frances V. McCarley, 73, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, in Defiance, Ohio. She was born April 22, 1936, in Hamtramk, Mich., to Ted and Margie Perry Zehner. She retired from Service Master, and she also had worked at Dinner Bell. She married R.V. McCarley in 1957; he died in 1992.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home in Defiance, Ohio.
Survivors include five sisters-in-law, Marie Ward, Reba Simmons, Joann Kelly and Norma Mack, all of Tupelo, and Shirley Hicks of Ohio; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, James Zehner.
Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today.
Condolences may be left at www.defiancefuneralhome.com.Bill Huckaby
SALTILLO – William “Bill” Huckaby, 75, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was a retired brick mason and a Baptist. He loved spending time with his pride and joys, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed yard work and bird watching.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Waters Funeral Home with Bro Felix Junior Hutcheson officiating. Burial will be in the Camp Creek Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Patsy DeVaughn Huckaby of Saltillo; one daughter, Charlotte McDaniel (Tommy) of Tupelo; his grandchildren, Nicole Sherwood (Shon), Sarah McDaniel, Dillon McDaniel and Cowen McDaniel; his great-grandchildren, Katie Brynn Sherwood and Caroline Sherwood.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Vassie Huckaby; a daughter, Scarlett Stephens; and a son, William Luther Huckaby.
Pallbearers will be Bart Palmer, Jeff Palmer, Dillon McDaniel, Brad DeVaughn, Jake DeVaughn, Brad Harlow and Jason Crawford. Honorary pallbearers, Curt White, Tracey Fondren, Jeb Duggar and Kerry Evans.Willie Mae Carson
IUKA – Willie Mae Carson, 99, died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at the Carrington House in Iuka. She was a lifelong member of Rocky Springs United Methodist Church. She enjoyed flowers and gardening.
Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka. The Rev. Robert Armstrong will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Doris Rhodes of Iuka and Martha Middleton of Corinth; five grandchildren, Terry Rhodes and Johnny Rhodes of Iuka, J.D. Rhodes of Tuscumbia, Ala., Bobby Middleton of Birmingham, Ala., and Debbie White of Knoxville, Tenn.; 11 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Carson; and her parents, Lawrence and Jessie Walker.
Pallbearers include Johnny Rhodes, J.D. Rhodes, Bobby Middleton, W.T. Carson, Will Rhodes and Charles Carson.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Rocky Springs United Methodist Church.
An online guestbook can be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.Grace Hill
RIPLEY – Grace Jewell Gadd Hill, 100, died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at Rest Haven Nursing Home in Ripley. She was a homemaker and a member of Flat Rock Baptist Church.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at McBride Funeral Home Chapel in Ripley. Burial will be in the Flat Rock Baptist Church Cemetery in Hickory Flat.
Survivors include one son, Leroy Hill (Willie) of Blue Mountain; six grandchildren, eight great-grnadchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Hill; her parents, Jim and Ella Mae Rhodes Gadd; one daughter, Demeris Jackson; one son, Charles Hill; one sister, Maureen Clayton; and one brother, Mitchell Gadd.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
To view and sign the online guestbook, visit www.mcbridefuneralhome.com.Harold Ray Duncan
SALTILLO – Harold Ray Duncan, 62, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. A native of Birmingham, Ala., he was born July 26, 1947. He graduated from McAdory High School and then attended Samford University. He was also a graduate of the Naval School of Music and a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Vietnam. He was a retired small business owner and a member of Faith Baptist Church in Saltillo. He was a Master Mason and a member of Masonic Lodge 318 in Tupelo, where he was currently serving as Tyler. He was Scottish Rite 32nd degree from Corinth Consistory and a member of Hamasa Shrine.
Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Saltillo Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Dr. Marvin Murphy officiating, followed by full Masonic rites. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park.
Survivors include his wife, Kaye Droke Duncan of Saltillo; his mother, Margaret D. Duncan of Saltillo; two daughters, Lisa Duncan Conway of Tupelo and Becky Duncan of Denver, Colo.; his brother, Gary Duncan of Olive Branch; two stepchildren, Amy Johnston of Saltillo and Justin Presson of Chicago; and three stepgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ganus Duncan.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Droke, Steve Turner, Kevin Conway, David Ruibal, Steven Hood, Mitchell Cannon, Bobby Reese, Dave Morris, William Tubbs and John Bartlett.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Saltillo Funeral Home and will continue noon until service time Wednesday.
Memorials may be made to the Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803; or the Hamasa Hospital Transportation Fund, P.O. Box 365, Meridian MS 39302.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.Iral Loar
MARTIN, Tenn. – Iral Edward “Peanut” Loar, 69, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at his home. He was born Sept. 23, 1940, in Covington, Tenn. He was a retired superintendent for Goodyear Tire amp& Rubber Co., where he worked for 31 years. After retirement, he worked with Harper’s Wrecker Service.
Graveside services will be at noon Wednesday at Ozark Cemetery near Tupelo. Murphy Funeral Home in Martin, Tenn., is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Morgan Loar of Martin, Tenn.; one son, Eddie Loar of Martin; four stepdaughters, Diane Bryant of Walker, La., Juanita Cutrer of Houma, La., Patricia Brown of Magnolia, Texas, and Sharon Shelton of Pride, La.; one grandchildren, Brooklyn Loar.
He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Loar; his mother, Lora Johnson Loar; and a brother, Davis Loar.
Family will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Julia Avery
GUYS, Tenn. – Julia Moore Avery, 76, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at the Jackson Madison County Hospital in Jackson, Tenn.
Services will be at noon Thursday at St. Rest M.B. Church in Guys, Tenn. Burial will be in the St. Rest Cemetery. Patterson Memorial Chapel of Corinth is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.Diann Sherfey
NETTLETON – Diann L. Sherfey, 71, died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at Community Hospice at Darlington Oaks in Verona after a long illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Nettleton. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.Ollie G. Swanson
TUPELO – Ollie G. Swanson, 79, died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at the Community Hospice at Darlington Oaks in Verona after a long illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors.Dr. Jack H. Kahlstorf
TUPELO – Dr. Jack H. Kahlstorf, 57, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at Sanctuary Hospice House. He was born Jan. 16, 1952, in Greenville to Skovel and Frances Brannon Kahlstorf. He attended Greenville High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He played varsity tennis and basketball, winning awards for scholarship and individual achievement in tennis. He also won several city and area tennis tournaments. After graduating from Greenville High School in 1970, he went on to attend the University of Mississippi, graduating in three years. In fall 1973, he began medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine, graduating in 1977 with a Doctor of Medicine degree. After exploring different fields of medicine, he served a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Upon completion of his residency, he moved his family to Tupelo and joined his brother in practice with Obstetrics-Gynecology Associates P.A.
He was a loving husband and father, never missing his children’s events and activities. He enjoyed family trips and vacations, especially the many trips to Disney World.He was an active and faithful member of Harrisburg Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and participated in medical missions. A dedicated Ole Miss sports fan, he supported the football, basketball and baseball teams with unconditional loyalty and loved attending games on campus in Oxford.
Graveside services will be Wednesday at Oxford Memorial Cemetery in Oxford. Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Harrisburg Baptist Church with the Rev. David Langerfeld and Dr. Forrest Sheffield officiating. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors in Tupelo is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Janet Ellis Kahlstorf; two daughters, Melissa Kahlstorf Sutherland (Tom) of Springfield, Mo., and Mary Ellis Kahlstorf of Washington D.C.; one son, Robert Brannon Kahlstorf (Catherine Leech) of Tupelo; five grandchildren, Thomas McCurry Sutherland III, Anna Grant Kahlstorf, Frances Claire Sutherland, Caroline Boyd Kahlstorf and Jack Walker Sutherland; his mother, Frances Kahlstorf Gowdy of Tupelo; and two brothers, David Skovel Kahlstorf (Mary Ellen) of Jackson and William Lewis Kahlstorf (Meachie) of Tupelo.
He was preceded in death by his father, Skovel Kahlstorf, and his stepfather, Willard Palmer Gowdy.
Pallbearers will be Dr. John Burk, Dr. Danny Dickey, Tommy McElroy, T.K. Moffett, Morris Morrison, Dr. Fred Mothershed, Dr. Sam Pace, Dr. Thomas Wiley and Dr. Smokey Young.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Swan Burrus, Dr. Wayne Slocum, Dr. Mark Kellum, Dr. Ronny Young, Dr. Eric Webb, Dr. Brandy Patterson and Emily Orgler of Obstetrics-Gynecology Associates, P.A.; Creig Corbett, Dr. Bert Duncan, Mike Ferris, Dr. Alan Flowers, Jim Hawkins, Sammy Henderson, Lee McAlister, Ben Meriweather, Dean Stacy, Malcolm Wesson, Tommy Barkley, David Segrest, and the men of the Morrison/Edwards Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and one hour before the memorial service on Wednesday at Harrisburg Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 W. Main St., Tupelo, MS 38801; or to the Kahlstorf-Ellis Scholarship Fund, c/o The University of Mississippi Foundation, P.O. Box 249, University, MS 38677-0249.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.B.P. Thornton
BOONEVILLE – Bro. B.P. Thornton, 89, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at his home. He was a Baptist preacher and a member of the Little Brown Missionary Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Gary Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in the East Prentiss Cemetery. Visitation will continue until service time today.
He is survived by two daughters, Frances Maxine Grayson of Ringgold, Ga., and Barbara Lee Maness and husband, Bill, of Corinth; two sisters, Nellie Jones of Booneville and Carolyn Felts and husband, Jesse, of Dixon, Tenn.; one brother, Harold Thornton and wife, Martha, of Thrasher; eight grandchildren, Tam and Terry Maness, Greg, Ben and Hank Grayson, Matt Crocker, and Tracy and Todd South; 24 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Thornton; one daughter, Dorothy Crocker; one son, Wallace L. South; and five grandchildren.Martha Ann Reed
TUPELO – Martha Ann Reed, 68, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a sudden illness. A native and lifelong resident of Tupelo, she was born April 21, 1941, to Robert P. and Katie Ruth Gentry Reed. She was a 1960 graduate of Tupelo High School. Earlier in her life, she worked for Reed Manufacturing as the payroll clerk. In her younger days, she was very active and enjoyed playing softball. Her family remembers her as an avid sports enthusiast and an antique car buff. She was a very special caregiver for her grandmother for 17 years, her mother for 12 years, and her aunt Momie for almost eight years. She loved taking countryside rides with her brothers. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Tupelo.
Services will be at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Sammy Lansdell officiating. Burial will be in Beech Springs Cemetery.
Survivors include two brothers, Robert P. “Buddy” Reed Jr. and Jerry Curtis “J.C.” Reed, both of the Auburn community; and several cousins.
Pallbearers will be Bradley Smith, Jeremy Cooke, Carl Wyatt, Trae Wyatt, Paul Reed and Chester Holder.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.Betty James
SOUTHAVEN – Betty Jean Stacks James, 69, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at Memphis Regional Medical Center. She was a homemaker and a member of Lake Forest Church of Christ at Walls.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Lake Forest Church of Christ with Minister David Fisher officiating. Burial will be in Ashland City Cemetery. McBride Funeral Home of Ripley is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, David Dewayne Jones of Southaven; two daughters, Teresa Brown (Tom) of Clayton, N.C., and Sandra Hopper (Jeff) of Walnut; three sons, Phillip James (Tina) of Navarre, Fla., Jimmy James of Holly Springs and Mike James of Portland, Ore.; one sister, Jo Thompson (Bobby) of Ashland; one brother, Johnny Stacks of Ashland; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen Sexton and Etta Mae Orman Stacks; one son, Timmy James; and one brother, Gailon Stacks.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time today at the church.
To view and sign the online guestbook, visit www.mcbridefuneralhome.com.Melissa Pugh
PORTER, Texas – Melissa Pugh, 22, formerly of Hickory Flat, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, suddenly in New Caney, Texas. She was born Dec. 24, 1986, in Corinth to Jeffrey Franklin Pugh and Patricia Hopkins Kennedy. She was a lead sales associate manager for Dollar General Store in Texas.
Services will be at noon Wednesday at Winburn United Methodist Church in Hickory Flat. The Rev. Brownie Tohill will officiate. Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery in Walnut. Serenity Funeral Home of New Albany is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include her mother, Patricia Kennedy of Hickory Flat; a son, Adrian Michael Tijerina of Porter, Texas; her fiancamp&eacute;, Mike Tijerina of Porter, Texas; her grandmother, Annie Mae Mardis of Benton County; two brothers, Christopher (Jennifer) Rutherford of Byhalia and Bradley Kennedy of Jacksonville, Ark.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jeffrey Franklin Pugh.
Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. today at the church.Dallas King
INDEPENDENCE – Dallas King, 65, died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at his home in Independence.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pate-Jones Funeral Home in Senatobia. Burial will follow at Thyatira Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Janet King of Independence; three daughters, Donna Franklin of Senatobia, Bridget Smith of Cascilla and Kathy Jones of Independence; two sons, Michael Edward King of Tupelo and Thomas William Jones of Independence; five brothers, Charles Allen King of Slayden, Ira Bruce King of Ripley, Barney Glenn King of Hickory Flat, Gary Eugene King of Southaven and Perry Luther King of Hickory Flat; five grandchildren, one great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by a son, William Edward King.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Independence Community Center or the American Cancer Society.Elton Gardner
OKOLONA – Elton Gardner, 50, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born Sept. 30, 1959, to Bernice Gardner and the late L.T. Gardner. He was a construction worker.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Calvary Outreach in Okolona. Burial will be in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Williams Memorial of Okolona is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his mother, Bernice Gardner of Okolona; two daughters, Shonda Young of Okolona and Lexis Gardner of Pontotoc; one son, Elton Johnson of Pontotoc; four sisters, Pearline Moore of Houston, and Mary Williams, Velma Gardner and Gloria Williams (Robert), all of Okolona; two brothers, Patrick and Sam Gardner of Okolona.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. today.Lorine Archer
WREN – Minnie Lorine Archer, 88, died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by E.E. Pickle Funeral Home of Amory.Tony A. Brown
EUPORA – Tony A. Brown, 62, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Eupora.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel in Eupora. Burial will be in Montevista Cemetery in Webster County.Lamont Starling
MOOREVILLE – Lamont Starling, 77, died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a long illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors.Annie Farr
PONTOTOC – Annie Pearl Dixon Farr, 84, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc.Janice Colburn
FULTON – Janice G. Colburn, 60, died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Kenneth I. Roberson of Pontotoc.Virginia Sauls
OKOLONA – Virginia Betts Sauls died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Williams Memorial of Okolona.